People with coeliac disease
For them, the current pack must be explicitly labelled “gluten-free”. Descriptions such as toast, multigrain or wheat-free bread are no substitute for this label.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who regularly eat toast or sandwiches
You can choose a pack size and storage format that suit your routine and the number of slices you actually need. Frozen bread requires enough room in your freezer.
People who prefer seeded bread
If you’re looking for seeded bread and also need to consider allergies, check the ingredients and allergen advice on every pack. EDEKA states that its Herzstücke seeded bread may contain traces of sesame.
What should you look for when buying?
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the label on the specific pack. Then decide whether toast, farmhouse loaf or seeded bread suits your needs and storage space.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check for the words “gluten-free” and the product variant on the current pack. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may be used in the EU for food sold to consumers if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten/kg. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the bread’s name or pictures on the packaging alone. Around 50% of consumers prioritise clear gluten-free labelling. |
| Pack size and storage | Match the pack weight and storage format to how much you use; make room in the freezer for frozen slices. | If I only eat toast occasionally, I want to be able to take out the slices I need and store the rest. For around 30% of consumers, managing their stock this way is a key consideration. |
| Bread type and other allergens | Choose toast or seeded bread, and check the ingredients and allergen advice if you have additional allergies. EDEKA states that its Herzstücke seeded bread may contain traces of sesame. | I’m looking for a particular type of bread for breakfast, but also need to consider other allergens. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this combination when choosing. |
Common shopping mistakes
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Assuming toast rolls are gluten-free because of their own-brand label
An own-brand label doesn’t tell you whether a particular bread is gluten-free. EDEKA lists gluten-containing cereals as allergens in its multigrain toast rolls.
Go by the “gluten-free” label and allergen information on the current pack, not the product photo.
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Considering pack size and storage separately
According to REWE, Fria Classic Toast is sold frozen and its slices can be removed individually. Whether a pack suits your routine also depends on how much freezer space you have and how much you use.
Compare the pack weight with the amount you expect to use, and follow the storage instructions.
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Overlooking other allergens in seeded bread
“Gluten-free” doesn’t mean a bread is free from all other allergens. EDEKA’s Herzstücke seeded bread may contain traces of sesame.
If you have another allergy, check the ingredients list and allergen advice on the specific pack.
Brands to help you choose
REWE frei von
REWE’s “frei von” range includes gluten-free farmhouse loaf and gluten-free seeded bread, both in 400 g packs.
- Farmhouse loaf and seeded bread give you two bread formats explicitly listed as gluten-free.
- If you’re looking for a particular variety, check availability at your chosen store and the current pack.
EDEKA Herzstücke
EDEKA stocks a gluten-free Herzstücke seeded bread in a 300-g pack.
- According to EDEKA, the seeded bread contains ingredients including linseed and sunflower seeds.
- EDEKA states that it may contain traces of sesame; always check the information on the pack you buy.
Fria
REWE lists Fria Classic Toast as gluten-free toast bread in a 500-g pack.
- According to REWE, the bread is fully baked, frozen and can be taken out slice by slice.
- You’ll need enough freezer space for this frozen format.
Joybuy products
Suitable products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is “wheat-free” enough for someone with coeliac disease?
No, “wheat-free” is not a substitute for the “gluten-free” label. Under European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, food sold to consumers may be labelled “gluten-free” if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten/kg. Check for this on the current pack.
Does “very low gluten” mean the same as “gluten-free”?
No. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 distinguishes between “gluten-free”, meaning no more than 20 mg of gluten/kg, and “very low gluten”, meaning no more than 100 mg/kg in food sold to consumers. For the coeliac-friendly options covered here, the specific “gluten-free” label is what matters.
Do I need to check for other allergens in gluten-free seeded bread?
Yes. The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether other allergens are present. EDEKA states that its Herzstücke seeded bread may contain traces of sesame. If sesame is a concern for you, check the advice on the current pack.
When does frozen gluten-free toast work well for everyday use?
Fria Classic Toast could suit you if you want to take out individual slices and have room in your freezer. Fria describes the bread as frozen after baking; according to REWE, the slices can be removed individually. Follow the instructions on the pack when using the bread.